while in nevada -- >> the time is now. >> reporter: president obama unveiled his plan to get america's 11 million immigrants a big step closer to taking that oath. >> yes, they broke the rules. they crossed the border illegally. but these 11 million men and women are now here. >> reporter: the president's proposal calls for a path to citizenship. >> a process that includes passing a background check, paying taxes, paying a penalty, learning english and then going to the back of the line behind all the folks who are trying to come here legally. >> reporter: and with that, a direct challenge to washington. >> and if congress is unable to move forward in a timely fashion, i will send up a bill based on my proposal and insist that they vote on it right away. >> reporter: listen again -- >> i will send up a bill -- >> reporter: the president is pledging to put his political muscle behind this. still, republicans insist tighter border security must happen before any movement on citiz citizenship. >> we've got very fundamental questions of lawfulness. do we have a system that will stop the co